WPM 2021/22 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

newzealandpower

I'd even be happy with Howeison as an IR for Lewis. Though I really like the look of Sutton as CM so I wouldn't be surprised if we saw out the season with him and Pennington at CM and McGarry at LB

Except with the number of games we have we need more squad depth than that! Especially if we want to make the finals and do anything in the finals. Which we do. We’ve got to take every opportunity we have. Looking at how disrupted the last two years have been, we can’t assume anything about next year! 
I’d say we need at least two players, maybe three. 

ISL in India  is over. Must be a few match fit off contract players available from there.
Or do players have to have been off contract since January to be signed?

Ranix

ISL in India  is over. Must be a few match fit off contract players available from there.
Or do players have to have been off contract since January to be signed?

Off Contract on the 10th of Feb.

Matt Ridenton & Mario Barcia both playing NPL would be match fit and able to step in straight away

Wasn't Sutton originally a midfielder who Talay converted to a left back?  he looked good in midfield yesterday.

Khalil Media

Wasn't Sutton originally a midfielder who Talay converted to a left back?  he looked good in midfield yesterday.

I think he came in as a CAM

Wibblebutt

Matt Ridenton & Mario Barcia both playing NPL would be match fit and able to step in straight away

Ridenton can stay in the NPL, we want a-league quality not has beens and wannabes.

Hasbeens, agreed, but wannabees are precisely what IS needed. Players with ambition. 

Ridenton isn't the answer, as we saw last season.

Ridenton only played 240 minutes last season, not much a sample size, and most of those were probably at the start when we were rock-bottom and no one looked good. He’s got 125 A League career games at age 25, that’s no mean feat. That doesn’t mean he is the answer but I’m not sure of any New Zealander with a CV to match who would be available.

Barcia is 32, and his only spell in pro football is 3 matches in the Indonesian league, which is a fair bit below A League. The rest of it is playing in the National League. That’s probably not worth using a visa on in my opinion.

Howieson is probably unlikely because he’d likely only get a couple month gig, and it probably wouldn’t be worth dropping everything and going to Australia.

There’s also access to kids in the academy, which is the only pro-club academy in a country of 5 million people. If you’re not going to use the academy kids at a time like now, then you will never use them. It’s not really an endorsement of the academy if you choose to bring in some 30-odd Australian over giving someone their break. 

Beggars can't be choosers. I know he isn't going to set the pulse racing but Ridenton, with Nix background and all that A League experience seems worth definite consideration. Knows Uffie's system and what would be required of him.

Whether Uffie thinks he can deliver is another question though.

carlind

Ridenton only played 240 minutes last season, not much a sample size, and most of those were probably at the start when we were rock-bottom and no one looked good. He’s got 125 A League career games at age 25, that’s no mean feat. That doesn’t mean he is the answer but I’m not sure of any New Zealander with a CV to match who would be available.

Barcia is 32, and his only spell in pro football is 3 matches in the Indonesian league, which is a fair bit below A League. The rest of it is playing in the National League. That’s probably not worth using a visa on in my opinion.

Howieson is probably unlikely because he’d likely only get a couple month gig, and it probably wouldn’t be worth dropping everything and going to Australia.

There’s also access to kids in the academy, which is the only pro-club academy in a country of 5 million people. If you’re not going to use the academy kids at a time like now, then you will never use them. It’s not really an endorsement of the academy if you choose to bring in some 30-odd Australian over giving someone their break. 

Half of our current squad has come from the academy..

Ridenton is NOT a solution, short term or long term, he never really made his mark with us in his first stint when he was young, he then left and went and played for two other clubs only really looking half decent with Brisbane (4 games) and rarely with the Jets. When he returned for us he was at best a stop gap measure then, and managed 8 games - none of which he impressed. He's done at a-league level.  

carlind

Ridenton only played 240 minutes last season, not much a sample size, and most of those were probably at the start when we were rock-bottom and no one looked good. He’s got 125 A League career games at age 25, that’s no mean feat. That doesn’t mean he is the answer but I’m not sure of any New Zealander with a CV to match who would be available.

Barcia is 32, and his only spell in pro football is 3 matches in the Indonesian league, which is a fair bit below A League. The rest of it is playing in the National League. That’s probably not worth using a visa on in my opinion.

Howieson is probably unlikely because he’d likely only get a couple month gig, and it probably wouldn’t be worth dropping everything and going to Australia.

There’s also access to kids in the academy, which is the only pro-club academy in a country of 5 million people. If you’re not going to use the academy kids at a time like now, then you will never use them. It’s not really an endorsement of the academy if you choose to bring in some 30-odd Australian over giving someone their break. 

Depends what mindset the club is in - go for broke, spend on a decent replacement and aim for playoffs, or be willing to possibly sacrifice that, save some money and blood guys like Manuel, Fin Conchie, Luis Toomey etc. in that CM spot. No standout CM talent in the academy right now, unfortunately - Toomey's great but usually plays more advanced (and isn't listed in the Weenix squad this season for some reason).

I'd be keen for the latter option, but start Sutton centrally and sign a backup for him. Has years upon years of senior experience in both deeper and more advanced positions, certainly has the passing range to be capable at AL level. Sutton-Pennington, with Manuel and Laws for backup. Barcia would be cool though - would be more open to take a flyer on a possible 6-7 out of 10 guy rather than a guy who we already know gives us 4s-5s in Ridenton.

Go easy on all this Ridenton talk, lads. If we're not careful we all might as a collective accidentally will it to happen. 

I wouldn’t have thought Ridenton was the answer, but even just coming into the squad and training and sitting on the bench behind Manuel or another academy product he may have something to offer. 
Look- I want us to put in a challenge. I’m convinced we can do it. We still have some good talent in our team and some returning from injury. I trust Uffie to explore all options and take the best one. We should be aiming to finish 2nd/3rd/4th and even though we are in a desperate situation I think we should still be ambitious.

Bring in another CB and push Laws in DM?
I can think of a pretty decent NZ CB that doesn't have a club right now. That might be keen on some game time.

Surman did a decent enough job at CB to push Laws into DM with Payne back its easy.

theprof

Surman did a decent enough job at CB to push Laws into DM with Payne back its easy.

Was thinking along the same lines. He's just signed a long term deal with us, but I thought he did well yesterday. Will be good to have someone with a lot of experience in Wootton next to him as well. 

As someone stated earlier, no point having the academy in place if we were looking at signing stop gap players. Time for these younger players to sink or swim at this level Although in saying that, if Howieson was available I'd take him as an injury replacement for Lewis.

Is Laws going to be back next match?

carlind

Ridenton only played 240 minutes last season, not much a sample size, and most of those were probably at the start when we were rock-bottom and no one looked good. He’s got 125 A League career games at age 25, that’s no mean feat. That doesn’t mean he is the answer but I’m not sure of any New Zealander with a CV to match who would be available.

Barcia is 32, and his only spell in pro football is 3 matches in the Indonesian league, which is a fair bit below A League. The rest of it is playing in the National League. That’s probably not worth using a visa on in my opinion.

Howieson is probably unlikely because he’d likely only get a couple month gig, and it probably wouldn’t be worth dropping everything and going to Australia.

There’s also access to kids in the academy, which is the only pro-club academy in a country of 5 million people. If you’re not going to use the academy kids at a time like now, then you will never use them. It’s not really an endorsement of the academy if you choose to bring in some 30-odd Australian over giving someone their break. 

We've got two visa spots, so why not use them on squad depth if we think the player is capable and available? Not using them is a waste.

But, Brockie is available and still seems hungry, why not bring him in to replace Hooper until the end of the season?

YoungHeart

theprof

Surman did a decent enough job at CB to push Laws into DM with Payne back its easy.

Was thinking along the same lines. He's just signed a long term deal with us, but I thought he did well yesterday. Will be good to have someone with a lot of experience in Wootton next to him as well. 

As someone stated earlier, no point having the academy in place if we were looking at signing stop gap players. Time for these younger players to sink or swim at this level Although in saying that, if Howieson was available I'd take him as an injury replacement for Lewis.

Is Laws going to be back next match?

Laws is out for 2 weeks with a sprained ankle. 

If we hadn't scored that last gasp winner last night I think the conversation on this thread would be quite different. I thought our overall performance wasn't great and not really top 6 quality against bottom placed 10 man Perth. We are going to be really up against it from here on in.
I agree play the acadamy kids, they deserve the opportunity. But the games are going to come so thick and fast between now and the end of the season. We could do with a bit more depth / cover. basically Hooper, Rufer, Lewis out for the season Sotirio out for the next 6 or 7 games. Laws the next 3 or 4. Piscopo who knows. And what other injuries / fatigue can we expect with such a tough schedule. 
Be very interesting to see what Uffie does. We had a pretty skinny squad to start with.

Surman had a good game against a team that hardly attacked and put him under very little pressure…
If we’re thinking of the same name, sure he’d love a game in NZ. 
Also we’re guna have 3 games a week. Rotation and depth a biiig help.
I mean- Reid, Reid, Reid, Winston Wiremu Reid right?

martinb

Surman had a good game against a team that hardly attacked and put him under very little pressure…
If we’re thinking of the same name, sure he’d love a game in NZ. 
Also we’re guna have 3 games a week. Rotation and depth a biiig help.
I mean- Reid, Reid, Reid, Winston Wiremu Reid right?

Idk how possible this would be but seems like a good deal for both parties, a few-month injury replacement contract so Reid can stay fit for a potential world cup and for the new season if he wishes to go elsewhere. 

wilbaker

martinb

Surman had a good game against a team that hardly attacked and put him under very little pressure…
If we’re thinking of the same name, sure he’d love a game in NZ. 
Also we’re guna have 3 games a week. Rotation and depth a biiig help.
I mean- Reid, Reid, Reid, Winston Wiremu Reid right?

Idk how possible this would be but seems like a good deal for both parties, a few-month injury replacement contract so Reid can stay fit for a potential world cup and for the new season if he wishes to go elsewhere. 

Plus no NZ playoff- so it may be one of his last chances to play in NZ!

Ranix

If we hadn't scored that last gasp winner last night I think the conversation on this thread would be quite different. I thought our overall performance wasn't great and not really top 6 quality against bottom placed 10 man Perth. We are going to be really up against it from here on in.
I agree play the acadamy kids, they deserve the opportunity. But the games are going to come so thick and fast between now and the end of the season. We could do with a bit more depth / cover. basically Hooper, Rufer, Lewis out for the season Sotirio out for the next 6 or 7 games. Laws the next 3 or 4. Piscopo who knows. And what other injuries / fatigue can we expect with such a tough schedule. 
Be very interesting to see what Uffie does. We had a pretty skinny squad to start with.

Exactly. There is a heap of ex Academy playing this season for the Nix.

But the first choice CM pair are now likely gone for the season. Manuel has played 12 mins of first team football. I think he is 18?? Huge ask for him to start some games in that CM role, as yes the matches come thick and fast.

He may just not be ready, and if anything his development could be harmed. So yes look around for an older experienced player as an IR. Nothing wrong with that 

Dont get people saying use the Academy players havnt they already promoted those they thought could help. Just because they play in the Academy dosnt mean they are ready to step up. Given the amount of experience thats been lost would think they would be better off trying to pick up an experienced player as an IR. Talay has been pretty good at finding guys lets hope he is looking dosnt have to be along term contract.  

Keegan Jelacic scored a hatrick in the NPL yesterday. Wouldn't mind is looking at him

Matti Steinmann? Could get him to request release. He would've signed long-term if it wasn't for COVID.

Magnificentman

Matti Steinmann? Could get him to request release. He would've signed long-term if it wasn't for COVID.

Transfer window is closed, so not for this season at least

I'll throw another name out there. Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi (TAHW).

Discarded by Talay for this season, but he's played CM a bit over his career. Like Ridenton knows the Nix setup.

I'd take TAHW over Ridenton. Purely on the basis that he can cover two positions.

RR

Know a lot of @WgtnPhoenixFC fans are speculating about signing injury replacement players, but the indication today from assistant coach Chiefy was that nothing is in the works right now

— Andrew Voerman (@andrewvoerman) March 29, 2022

Feel like it's gonna be likely we won't sign anyone. 

So we’ve flagged the season? Or we’re hoping a visibly tired Payne at the end of the last game and others will be sufficient to get us through and we won’t pick up any more injuries? 

Feels a little like going No Trumps on a weak hand in 500 hoping that everything goes your way. 
Puts a lot on Surman, Manuel and others. 

I won’t be happy with games like the two drubbings by the Jets and there’s no way they can be convinced that was all because of a single decision by Pennington to take a shot. They had a deeper squad than us, as now does most other teams in the competition. 

I will be happier than ever if we can get something from the season with no further reinforcements, but it is also concerning…sure it is good to trust your players and that’s why they’re in the senior squad and it is really laying down the gauntlet to the likes of McGarry to show that they are professional footballers. 

But our season picked up with Wootton- we’re short a CM and a striker at the least, surely? 

Sh&t, b$gger and damn! Feel for the guy.

Thats really tough. He has been in fantastic form. Still I guess that's better news than a dislocation or a broken ankle. Is it?

Not unexpected but a real shame for him and the Nix. He and Rufer were playing out of their skins and now they are both gone.

I can understand why injury replacements aren't being considered but we are only just a few more injuries/suspensions away from being basically uncompetitive. 

Kelvin Kalua anybody? Was leaving Los Angeles on flight DL41 to Sydney...

IMG_20220330_155552.jpg 467.47 KB

Can play across the backline. Although probably more so down the flanks - LB/RB.

Sam Sutton firming up for that Lewis role, alongside Pennington.